Method and apparatus for quilting and interlacing of textile materials



March 5, 1963 A. KUBELKA ETAi. 3,079,778

-- METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUILTING AND INTERLACI-NG 4 OF TEXILE MATERIALS Filed July 11, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 5, 1963 A. KUBELKA EI'AL 3,079,778

QUILTING AND INTERLACING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OF TEXILE MATERIALS Filed July 11, 1960 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INTERLACING OF TEXTILE MATERIALS Alois Kubelka and Vladimir Svoboda, Brno, Czechoslovakia, assignors to Sdruzeni podniku textilniho stroiirenstvi, Chrastava, Czechoslovakia Filed July 11, 1969, Ser. No. 42,110 Claims priority, application Czechoslovakia July 10, 1959 a Claims. (Cl. 66-85) The present invention relates to a method and a device for quilting and interknitting of flat textile fabrics and the piercing operation effected under simultaneous feeding of the fabric the pierced hole is lengthened and the :fibres in the fiat textile fabric are torn and, at the same time, the needles are subject to an excessive bending stress due to the pull exerted by the treated material. According to the second working process the treate fiat fabric is supplied to the quilting and knitting needles intermittently, while these needles perform the same movement as in the first case, preventing thusit is truedamage to the treated material and increased stress on the quilting and knitting needles, it being however impossible to exceed a certain working speed of the machine which would achieve a higher performance thereof.

In contrast to conventional sewing machines which for' the above mentioned piercing operation employ conventional closed sewingneedles, the problem of such quilting and knitting machines is still further aggravated by the fact that it is necessary to use needles having an open 'IVIETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUILTING AND hook which, in a certain phase of operation, independently of the needle movement, is closed by an independently controlled latch.

The present invention aims at removing the aforesaid drawbacks of both above described working processes, the essential feature of the invention residing therein that, on the one hand, the material is fed continuously and, on the other hand, the quilting and knitting needles perform during piercing of the treated material a movement parallel to the feeding movement of the material.

Further advantages and features of the present invention will appear from the ensuing disclosure and drawings, wherein FIG. 1 shows a detail of the quilting and knitting needles prior to the piercing operation, on an enlarged scale,

FIG. 2 a similar view after the finished piercing operation,

FIG. 3 a diagrammatic perspective representation of the working mechanism, and

FIG. 4 an elevational cross sectional view through the needle and latch beds.

The quilting and knitting needle 1 of the machine is provided with a point 2, a hook 3 and a latch 4, the latter being guided in a cavity 5 arranged in the needle 1 (FIG. I). Said needles 1 are mounted in a needle bed 6, while the latches 4 are mounted in a latch bed 7. The treated fiat textile fabric, for instance a fleece 8, is, as it is usual in such machines, continuously advanced in the direction of the arrow S (FIG. 1) between known tables 3,979,778 Patented Mar. 5, 1953 9 and 10, the table 9 being provided with apertures 11, while the table 10 is equipped with open combs 12.

Up to the present, the needle beds 6 and the latch beds 7 in such machines have carried out, independently on each other, nothing more than a basic oscillatory movement in one plane, i.e. in the plane of the longitudinal axis of the needle 1, as indicated by the arrow S To this end the needle bed 6 is mounted at the end of a twoarmed lever 13, which is journalled on a pin 14 of a link 15 and also on a pivot 16 of a bell crank lever 17, which is mounted for rocking movement about a pin 18, said pin 18 being rigidly secured in the frame of the machine. The bell crank lever 17 receives constant oscillatory movement about the pin 18 from a crank mechanism 19, which is arranged on a rotating shaft 20.

Said oscillation of the bell crank lever 17 causes the needle to move in the plane of its longtiudinal axis. The ame movement, but shifted in phase, of the latch bed 7 is effected by means of a two-armed lever 21 which is journalled on the one hand on a pivot 22 and on the other hand on a pivot 23. The pivot 22 is arranged on a link 24 which is rotatable around the pivot 23 of a bell crank lever 25, which latter is adapted for swinging movement around a fixed pin 26 secured to the frame of the machine. The bell crank lever 25 is actuated by a crank mechanism 27, which is likewise mounted on the shaft 20.

To enable the needle bed 6 and the latch bed 7 to perform a movement which conforms with the movement of the fleece 8 during the piercing phase, i.e. a movement substantially perpendicular to the direction of the axis of the needle 1, the link 15 is pivotally mount d on a pivot 28, located on an arm 29 which is rigidly secured to a shaft 30.

Similarly, the link 24 of the latch bed 7 is freely rotat able on pivots 31 of an arm 32, which latter is likewise rigidly fixed to the already mentioned shaft 30. The shaft 30 is mounted for rotation in bearings 33 on the machine frame and receives oscillatory movement from a cam disc 34 fixed on a shaft 35, via a two armed lever 36, which is arranged for oscillatory movement on a pivot 37 rigidly mounted in the frame of the machine. The two-armed lever 36 is provided with a cam slot 38 at its other end, in which cam slot a rotary pin 39 is adjustably mounted in a known way. Said pin 39 is located at the end of a link 49, which is connected by means of a pivot 41 to an arm 42, which is secured to the shaft 30. The two-armed lever 35 is pressed against the cam 34 by a spring 43 hearing against the frame of the machine.

The described device operates as follows: The aforesaid needle beds 6 and thus also the needles 1, as well as the latch beds 7 and therefore also the latches 7 perform the usual piercing movement in the direction of the arrow S according to FIGS. 3 and 4, as well as the return movement by the action of the two-armed lever 13, the bell crank lever 17 and the crank mechanism 19, or by the action of the two-armed lever 21, the bell crank lever 25 and the crank mechanism 27.

In contrast to conventional arrangements, both beds 6 and 7 and thus also the needles 1 and latches 4 carry out in the piercing phase a movement parallel to the direction of movement of the supplied fleece i.e. in the direction 8,, which is substantially perpendicular to the direction S Said movement is accomplished by the oscillation of the shaft 30, which is produced by the cam disc 34 acting on the shaft 30, through the two-armed lever 36, cam slot 38, pin 39 and link 40.

As a result of the combined movements S and S the needle 1 and the latch 4 or point 2 of the needle carry out a movement according to a curve 44 show in dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Prior to piercing the fleece -8 with the pointZ-ofneedle 1, the latter is in a position shown in FIG. 1, in which the latch 4 liesin thecavity of the needle. The point 2 of theneedle- 1- beginsto penetrate into the fleece 8 and the nadle 1 moves on the one hand in the direction 5;,

along-its axis, andon the other hand in the direction S together with 'the sn-pplied fleece, and the resultant of this movement is the path described by thepoint '2 "of the needle 1' from point 45 to point 460i the curve 44. 'The-pos'ition of the needle land ofthe latch 4 'at the time when the piercing operation is terminated, is' shown 'in FIG. 2.

p i In this phase'the latch 4 has by now carried 'ontarela- -tive shifting movement in the direction'of the longitudinal -axis"of the ne'edlel to a position in'whic'h it closes {the hook '3 of'the needle 1. Beginning from this position, the needle 1' starts-its rttirn movement to its initial position, following at the same time the movement of the flee'ce '8 in the direction of the arrow S its point 2 travel- "ling from point 46 to point 47 of the curve 44, in which point the needle 1" with the latch 4 leaves the fleece 8. On-this-travelof the point-2 of the needle along the curve" 44 from point 45 overpoint'46 to point 47 -a knit- -tinglo'op is formed in a known wayand the loop is passed through the fleece, without the hole pierced in the fleece iii-becoming deformed, as would otherwise happen in'a known device due to a non-conform movement of the 3 needle 1. After the point 2 of the needle 1 has left the fleece 8, the point 2 of then'eedle 1 returns quickly to its basic position along the path from point 47 to point 45.

Before the-point 2 of the needle 1 carries out its move- "ments from poin-t'47 tofpoint 45, the fleece 8 is shifted "by'a distance --A, which, together with the length of 'thestroke B ofthe needle 1 in the direction of the arrow '8 determines the total width of the course C. This length of the stroke B of the needle 1 and thereby the width of the course C can be adjusted by changing the position of the pin 39 in the cam slot 38. In the direction of the arrow S the needle carries out a path marked D in FIG. 1.

For the purpose of achieving a substantially rectilinear movementof the point 2 of the needle 1 and of the latch 4 the length of the links' 15 and '24 in relation to the length of the upper arms of the bell crank levers 17 or -25 is-chosen such, that the links 15 and 24 are substan- 'tially longer than the upper arms of said bell crank levers 17 or 25. v I

The described method and'device is of course not restricted to the use of quilting and knitting needles of -the latch-type as other conventional types of needles may he need as well.

What we claim is; V 1. A device for quilting and interknitting of fiat textile fabrics, consisting of various materials and transported in "a feeding direction, comprising a frame, a needle bed and a latchbed mounted in said frame for reciprocal movement, knitting needles provided with needle hooks accommodated in said needle beds, each knitting needle having a latch mounted for reciprocal movement in the needle and fixed to said latch bed for movement relatively to the needles to open and close the needle hooks, a needle-actuating crank mechanism and a latch-actuating crank mechanism journalled in said frame, a first 'bell crank lever operatively'connected to said needleactuating crank mechanism and a second bell crank lever "operatively connected to said latch-actuatingmechanism, -afir'st two-armed lever pivotally connected to said first bell crank lever'and a second two-armed lever 'pivot'ally connected to said second bell crank lever, afirst link pivotally connected to said first two-armed lever between its end and a second link 'pivotally connected to said second two-armed lever between its ends, said first and second two-armed levers being connected to said needle bed and latch bed respectively. g V g 2. A device for quilting and interknitting of flat textile --fabrics, consisting of various rnaterials and transported in a feeding direction, comprising a frame, a needle bed and a latch bed mounted in said frame for reciprocal movement, knitting needles provided with needle hooks 5 accommodated in said nee'dle bed each knit-ting needle I having a latch mounted for reciprocal movement in the needle and fixed to said latch bed for movement relatively to the needles to open and close the needle hooks, a needle-actuating crank mechanism and alatch-actuating crank mechanism journalled in said frame,'a first bell crank lever operatively connected to said needleactuating crank mechanism and 'a second bell crank lever operatively connected to said latch-actuating mechanism, a first two-armed lever pivotally connected to said'first bell crank lever and a second two-armed lever pivotally connected to said'second bell' crank lever, -a first'link pivotally connected to said two-armedleverbetween its ends and a second link pivotally connected to said secondtwo' ar'med lever between its ends, 'said first and second two-armed leve-rs'being connected to said needle bed and latch bed respectively, an-oscillatory shaft mounted in the frame of the device for oscillatory movement about its axis, a first arm and .a second arm fixed to the oscillatoryshaft, the'first'arm being'.pivotally connected to said-first link and the'second arm'to said second link, a'ca'rn disc-mounted for rotation in the frame of the device, means for imparting rotary movement to'said cam disc, a two-armed transmissionleve'r operatively connected to said cam disc, 'a transmission linkjoined with one of itsends" to the two armed transmission lever,'a third arm fixed'on said oscillatoryshaf-t, the third arm being pivotally connected to' th'eother 'end of said transmission link whereby said two-armed levers move'said needle bed and said latch bed with said needles and latches in a composite motion having-a 'needle'ho oks accommodated in said needlebeds, each knitting needle having alatch mounted for'recipro'cal movement in the needle and fixed to said latch bed for movement relatively to the needles'to open and close 'the needle books, a 'needle-actuating crank mechanism 'and-a latch-actuating crankrnechanism journalled in said frame, a first bellcrank lever operativelyconnected to said needle-actuating crank mechanism and a second bell 'crank lver'operatively connected to said latch-actuating mechanism, a first two-armed lever 'pivotally connected 'to said first bell crank lever and a second two-armed 'lever pivo-tally' connected to said second bell crank lever, a first link pivotally connected to said firsttwo-armed lever between its'endsand a second link pivotally conneoted'to said secon'd two armed le'vcr between its-ends,

said first and second two-armed levers being connected to' said needle bed and lat-ch bed respectively, an oscillatory shaft mounted in the frame of the device for o'scil -latory movement about itsaxis, a first arm and a second arm fixed to the oscillatory'shaf't, the-first arm-bemg plv'o-tally connected to said first link and thesecond arm to said link, a cam disc mounted for rotation in the frameof the device, means for imparting rotary'movement to said cam disc, a two-armed transmission lever operatively connected to said cam disc, a transmission link joined with one of its ends to the two-armed transmission lover, a th-ird'arm fixed on said oscillatory shaft, the third arm being pivotally connected to the other end of said transmission link whereby said two-armed levers move said needle bed and said latch bed with said needles and latches in a composite motion having a component screws in the longitudinal direction of said needles and a component in said feeding direction so that the fabric does not move transversely to needles plercing the same, a pivot carried at the end of the transmission link adjacent the two-armed transmission lever, a cam slot being provided in the latter lever for cooperation with said ivot for the purpose of adjusting the length of the stroke of the transmission link and thus of said needle bed and latch bed in the direction of withdrawal of the treated material.

4. A device for quilting and interknitting of fiat textile fabrics, consisting of various materials and transported in a feeding direction, comprising a frame, a needle bed and a latch bed mounted in said frame for reciprocal movement, knitting needles provided with needle hooks accommodated in said needle beds, each knitting needle having a latch mounted for reciprocal movement in the needle and fixed to said latch bed for movement relatively to the needles to open and close the needle hooks, a needle-actuating crank mechanism and a latch-actuating crank mechanism journalled in said frame, a first bell crank lever operatively connected to said needle-actuating crank mechanism and a second bell crank lever operativeiy connected to said latch-actuating mechanism, a first two-armed lever pivotally connected to said first bell crank lever and a second twoarmed lever pivctally connected to said second bell crank lever, a first link pivotally connected to said first twoarmed lever between its end and a second link pivotally connected to said second two-armed lever between its ends, said first and second two-armed levers being connected to said needle bed and latch bed respectively, an oscillatory shaft mounted in the frame of the device for oscillatory movement about its axis, a first arm and a second arm fixed to the oscillatory shaft, the first arm being pivotally connected to said first link and the second arm to said second link, a cam disc mounted for rotation in the frame of the device, means for imparting rotary movement to said cam disc, a two-armed transmission lever operatively connected to said cam disc, a transmission link joined with one of its ends to the twoarmed transmission lever, 21 third arm fixed on said oscillatory shaft, the third arm being pivotaliy connected to the other end of said transmission link whereby said twoarmed levers move said needle bed and said latch bed with said needles and latches in a composite motion having a component in the longitudinal direction of said needles and a component in said feeding direction so that the fabric does not move transversely to needles piercing the same, the lengths of said first and second links in relation to the lengths of the upper arms of said first and second bell crank levers being chosen such that said links are substantially longer than said upper arms of the bell crank levers, for the purpose of achieving a substantially rectilinear movement of the tips of said needles and latches.

5. A method of quilting a fabric, comprising the steps of moving the fabric in a feeding direction at a selected speed; piercing the fabric by a longitudinally moving knitting needle, and moving said needle at said selected speed in said feeding direction while said needle pierces said fabric so that said fabric does not move in said feeding direction relative to needles piercing the same.

6. A method of quilting a fabric, comprising the steps of moving the fabric in a feeding direction at a selected speed; piercing the fabric by longitudinally moving knitting needle; moving said needle at said selected speed in said feeding direction while said needle pierces said fabric so that said fabric does not move in said feeding direction relative to needles piercing the same; and moving said needle in a direction opposite to said feeding direction when said needle is located outside of said fabric.

7. A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the stroke of said needle in longitudinal direction thereof is substantially greater than the stroke of said needle in said feeding direction.

8. A device for quilting a textile fabric moving in a feeding direction at a selected feeding speed; comprising a needle and a needle holder; and operating means connecting to said needle holder for moving said needle in a composite motion having a first component in the longitudinal direction of said needle and transverse to said fabric so that said needle pierces said fabric, and a second component in said feeding direction and at said feeding speed so that said needle moves at the same speed as said fabric in said feeding direction while piercing said fabric.

9. A device for quilting a textile fabric moving in an operating plane in a feeding direction at a selected feeding speed; comprising a needle and a needle holder; first operating means for reciprocating said needle holder in a direction perpendicular to said operating plane and in longitudinal direction of said needle; and second operating means operatively interconnected with said first operating means for simultaneously reciprocating said needle holder with said needle in said feeding direction in a forward stroke at said feeding speed while said needle pierces the fabric, and in a return stroke while said needle is located outside of the fabric.

10. A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said needle includes a main part having a hooked tip at one end thereof, and being mounted in said needle holder at the other end thereof, and a latch part mounted on said main part for reciprocating movement between a position closing said hooked tip and a position opening said hooked tip; and third operating means connected to said latch part for reciprocating the same between said positions, and being operativcly connected to said first operating means to reciprocate said latch part in synchronism with the longitudinal reciprocation of said main part.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,364,997 Kelso Jan. 11, 1921 2,428,405 Young Oct. 7, 1947 2,890,579 Mauersbcrger June 16, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 787,151 Great Britain Dec. 4, 1957 

1. A DEVICE FOR QUILTING AND INTERKNITTING OF FLAT TEXTILE FABRICS, CONSISTING OF VARIOUS MATERIALS AND TRANSPORTED IN A FEEDING DIRECTION, COMPRISING A FRAME, A NEEDLE BED AND A LATCH BED MOUNTED IN SAID FRAME FOR RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT, KNITTING NEEDLES PROVIDED WITH NEEDLE HOOKS ACCOMMODATED IN SAID NEEDLE BEDS, EACH KNITTING NEEDLE HAVING A LATCH MOUNTED FOR RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT IN THE NEEDLE AND FIXED TO SAID LATCH BED FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVELY TO THE NEEDLES TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE NEEDLE HOOKS, A NEEDLE-ACTUATING CRANK MECHANISM AND A LATCH-ACTUATING CRANK MECHANISM JOURNALLED IN SAID FRAME, A FIRST BELL CRANK LEVER OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID NEEDLEACTUATING CRANK MECHANISM AND A SECOND BELL CRANK LEVERL OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID LATCH-ACTUATING MECHANISM, A FIRST TWO-ARMED LEVER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST BELL CRANK LEVER AND A SECOND TWO-ARMED LEVER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND BELL CRANK LEVER, A FIRST LINK PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST TWO-ARMED LEVER BETWEEN ITS END AND A SECOND LINK PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND TWO-ARMED LEVER BETWEEN ITS ENDS, SAID FIRST AND SECOND TWO-ARMED LEVERS BEING CONNECTED TO SAID NEEDLE BED AND LATCH BED RESPECTIVELY. 